Democracy and public governance
Democracy is in distress and levels of trust in public institutions are at an all-time low in many OECD countries.
TUAC engages with the OECD’s Public Governance Committee and the Regulatory Policy Committee to promote freedom of association as a pillar of democracy, as well as the role of social dialogue and of trade unions in the development of active citizenship and vibrant civic space. Sound regulatory policies involving trade unions are also key to improve working conditions and address inequalities, which are key drivers of mistrust.
TUAC’s work in this area is led by Martin Denis. For more information, please contact denis@tuac.org.
TUAC raises concerns over regulatory simplification at OECD policy roundtable
TUAC voiced concerns about the focus on regulatory burden reduction Regulatory Policy Committee’s “Simplifying for Success” roundtable on 10 April, following the launch of the 2025 OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook on 9 April. The roundtable comes amid a new wave of deregulation ...
TUAC calls for urgent action on rising inequality and workers’ rights
TUAC General Secretary Veronica Nilsson warned of growing inequality and workers’ rights challenges during the World Economic Forum’s “Closing the Jobs Gap” panel today. Speaking alongside the ILO Director-General and business leaders, Nilsson highlighted growing ...
Unions and democracy
Social dialogue is too rarely considered in the debate about strengthening democracy. That’s the key claim in an article ‘Democracy at work and beyond: the role of trade unions in strengthening citizens’ participation and trust in public institutions’ by TUAC General Secretary ...
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Consultation with unions part of solution to lack of trust
Almost half of citizens in the OECD do not trust their governments. A shocking 44% of respondents have low or no trust in their national government, according to a new OECD study carried out in late 2023 in 30 countries including France, Germany, Italy and UK. ...
Trade unions back the fight against corruption and support whistleblowers
OECD countries must urgently step-up action to tackle corruption and cultivate integrity. The OECD 2024 Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook reveals significant shortcomings in countries anti-corruption and bribery policies. Action is urgently needed. Corruption deepens inequalities, weakens ...
Tackling inequality and promoting workplace democracy crucial to democracy say unions
A report by the OECD on trust in Government and safeguarding democracy – launched today – analyses recent public opinion surveys carried out by the OECD, contains much useful information and makes a series of recommendations to build, strengthen and protect democracy. The OECD’s ...
Global unions urge governments and employers to help put an end to human and trade union rights violations in Belarus
Trade unionism is not a crime! Trade unionism is not extremism! Repression of free trade unions in Belarus over the past decades culminated in 2022 with the dissolution of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) and its affiliates and arrests, with the detention of more than 40 ...
The Council of Global Unions (CGU) condemns flagrant worker rights’ violations in South Korea
On the first anniversary of the inauguration of President Yoon, the Council of Global Unions, representing 200 million workers around the world expresses deep concern on the recent attacks, judicial harassment, and interference against the legitimate activities of trade unions and the rights of ...
The Council of Global Unions (CGU) demands Hong Kong authorities withdraw the investigation against Elizabeth Tang, respect human rights, and end the assault
The CGU, on behalf of the 200 million workers around the world we represent, expresses its unwavering solidarity with Elizabeth Tang, General Secretary of the International Domestic Workers’ Federation (IDWF), who has been subjected to alleged charges of collusion and arrest by the Hong ...
